P.K. Subban makes bold Stanley Cup claim following Panthers' 8-1 Game 4 defeat to Oilers

By Zachary Roberts

Modified Jun 17, 2024 18:54 GMT

The Stanley Cup Final could go one of two ways from here. The Florida Panthers do own a comfortable 3-1 lead, a lead that has rarely ever been lost in sports history. One way the series could go is with a win to end it now. The other way is that the Edmonton Oilers stave off defeat and build momentum to keep playing and push Florida even further.

Former hockey star P.K. Subban believes the pressure might be on Florida after an 8-1 drubbing in Game 4. On the Pat McAfee Show, the former defenseman said:

"The Panthers have to play their best game right now. So they've got to be a little bit nervous about that because the Edmonton Oilers, from top to bottom right now, have their whole team going. And to think about McDavid at four points, he's just getting warmed up."

Subban said the Panthers must find their game and execute in the five-on-five scenarios. He believes they can't let Edmonton attack up the middle and have time and space to make plays:

"If they do that, then McJesus is going to take over the series. In my opinion, this could still go to six or seven games. I had Florida winning this."

Despite needing just one win to clinch the Stanley Cup Final, Subban believes there is a need for Florida to get that win immediately rather than let Edmonton have any more rope.

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Panthers coach Paul Maurice admits team got "reality check" in Stanley Cup Final

Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said his team was looking to clinch the Stanley Cup Final in Game 4. They could have swept and completed a dominant showing to win the trophy. Instead, they got shellacked.

The Panthers will try to close out the Stanley Cup Final in Game 5

Maurice said, via NHL:

“I think in each one of those situations, including last night, you come to the rink to clinch, right? That’s first and foremost. And then you get a little bit of a reality check and then you get back to hockey. So, that will be our goal here over the next two days.”

The Panthers have ample experience in this position and in the playoffs, and they will lean on that as they try to avoid another letdown in Game 5.